The Berghoff Restaurant

At the heart of Chicago’s bustling Loop, a culinary time capsule awaits. The Berghoff Restaurant, an iconic Chicago institution, stands as a testament to resilience, tradition, and the enduring power of good food and drink. The Berghoff’s story began not in Chicago, but at the 1893 World’s Fair, where Herman Joseph Berghoff introduced his family’s Dortmunder-style beer to the world. The success was so resounding that Herman decided to establish a permanent presence in the city, opening The Berghoff saloon in 1898. This was no ordinary saloon. It was a showcase for Berghoff beer, sold for a mere nickel, accompanied by complimentary sandwiches to encourage a hearty thirst. The Berghoff’s journey through the 20th century is a tale of adaptation and survival. During Prohibition, when the flow of alcohol was stifled, Herman cleverly pivoted. He introduced near beer and a line of Bergo soda pops, transforming The Berghoff into a full-service restaurant. The Berghoff Root Beer, a descendant of those Prohibition-era sodas, remains a beloved item today. When Prohibition finally ended, The Berghoff received Chicago Liquor License No. 1, a testament to its enduring presence in the city’s history. The restaurant’s legacy continued through generations of Berghoffs, each adding their own chapter to the story. The Berghoff became known not only for its German-American cuisine, like wiener schnitzel and sauerbraten, but also for its unique traditions. The waiters, impeccably dressed in formal aprons, possessed an almost superhuman ability to remember orders without ever writing them down. They operated under a unique token system, purchasing food from the kitchen and reselling it to customers, a practice reminiscent of old European traditions. The Berghoff also maintained a men-only bar for much of its history, a policy that finally yielded to the changing times in 1969 after a protest by the National Organization for Women. Even today, The Berghoff retains its old-world charm. The original barroom, with its long wooden bar and hand-painted murals, has been lovingly preserved. You can still see a copy of that historic first liquor license displayed proudly on the wall. The Berghoff also boasts an in-house bakery, a rarity in today’s restaurant world, where all the bread, cakes, and pastries are made fresh daily. And in the basement level, The Berghoff Cafe offers a more casual dining experience, with a menu that ranges from classic burgers to modern poke bowls. The Berghoff has witnessed countless milestones, from family celebrations to business deals, from casual lunches to romantic dinners. It has served as a backdrop for countless stories, both big and small, woven into the very fabric of Chicago’s history. The Berghoff is more than just a restaurant; it’s a living museum, a tribute to the enduring spirit of a family and a city.